Gold-dredge.



H. J. CLARK- GOLD DBEDGB.

APPLIGATION FILED APB..23,1908.

Patented Jan. 5, 19091 Al/omey H. J. CLARK.

com: Dal-men APPLIOATIOI IILED LRBJIB, 1908.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W Nut Attorney H. J. CLARK.

GOLD DREDGE.

APPLIUATIGN FILED APB.23, 1909.

Patented Jan. 5, 1.909.

3 SHEETS-511E121 8.

was him It mm IlSlfIIR-Jl z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE J. CLARE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIUNUR TO CLARK DREDGEMANIIRXCTI."KING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COI UORATIOB' OFMAINE.

GOLD-DREDGE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

Application filed April 23, 1908. Serial No. 428,825.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, HonAoEJ. CLARK, citizen of the l nitcd States,residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in (.lold-Dredges, of whichthe follow ing is a specification. reference being had then-in to theaccompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a gold dredge, and particularly to a floatingstructure having a scoop oscillated upon the free end of an arm andadapted to carry material from the point dredged and deposit it upon thefloating: structure carrying the arm.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improvedconstruction by which the dredging arm operates through a centralchannel in the float, and the scoop carried thereby is partiallyoscillated in its digging action and this oscillation continued afterthe arm is raised so as to deliver from the scoop to a receptacle.

A further ob cct of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedstructure of scoop having discharge chutes at one portion thereof sothat the contents thereof may llov: by gravity into the receivingreceptacle and this discharge be secured at opposite sides of a wheel orlever controlling the oscillating; action of the scoop.

Another objectof the invention is to proide means for independentlycontrolling the oscillation of the scoop and the raising and hm'cring ofthe arm by which it is carried,.

together with means by which said arm may be rotated so, as to deliverat other points than upon the float carrying the dredging parts.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter fully set forth and the novel features thereof deiincd bythe appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure l is an elevation showing the invention applied;Fig. '2 is a plan thereof with the delivery screen omitted; Fig. 3 is anenlarged vertical section on line 53 3, Fig. l Fl l is a similar view online -i Fiey. t; i 5 is a detail section ;-ho .vin the eccentric sleeveon line 5-5, Fig. 4; Fig. fl is a plan of the scoop; Fig. 7 is a sideelevation thereof, Fig. R is an end vie vof the float and scoop; Fig. 9is a detail perspective showing the structure of float.

Lilac numerals refer to like parts in the several views of the drawings.

In the application of the invention any desired. form of float or scowmay be used for that purpose, but as showing a convenient form thereof 1have illustrated it formed of tubes or pipes 10 disposed parallel toeach other and provided with closing caps 11 at each end by which theyare rendered water tightand made properly buoyant to support theplatform 12 containing the operative parts. This platform is adapted tosupport the framework 13 from which the. mast 14 extends vertically, andalso a bearing 15 through Which the anchoring spud 16 is pro jectcd,thisbeing dis )osed at substantially the mid width of the l' oat inorder to permit a swinging or oscillating movement of one end thereof.The framework is also provided with a pivotally mounted boom 17, andwith a dredge arm 18 pivoted thereto at 19 and provided with suitablebraces, as shown at 20, this arm being adapted to be raised and loweredby means of the cable .21 extending from the bearing pulley 32 at theend of the boom and thence over the bearing '23 to a suitable windingdrum 2-1 secured upon the shaft which has a bearing in the frame. Thisarm is provided at its free end with an eccentrically disposed wheel orlover 2t} pivotally mounted in bearings extended from the dredge arm 18.Secured upon this Wheel to oscillate or rotate therewith is a scoop 28preferably having a curved cutting edge :29 thus forming a partly roundbody from which at each side discharge chutes 30 extend laterallythereof upon a curved line to facilitate the flow of material bv gravitytherethrough, and to dischargesaitl material at substantially a rightangle to the cutting edge of the scoop. This scoop is provided with ashield 31 intermediate of the chutes and curved upward to embrace aportion of the wheel 26, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

For the purpose of partially rotatin and oscillating the wheel or lever26 the ca le 32 extends therefrom and may, if desired be sccuredthereto, this cable passing to a similarly disposed wheel or lever 33secured upon the driving shaft 34 provided with driving gears 35 at oneor both ends. This cable is guided for the length of the arm by suitablerollers 36 mounted in brackets 37 secured thereon.

For the purpose of driving the gears 35, any desired means may be used,for instance, a rack bar 38 slidingly mounted in the bsse tion the partsare held against movement 39 in alinement with the gears 35. This rackbar may be driven by any suitable source of power, for instance, acylinder 40 having its piston 41 connected therewith. The motive powerforthis cylinder may be suppded from any desired source, such as anengine 42, as shown in Fig. 2. Under some conditions, such as when largestones are lifted by the dred e, it is desired to deposit them to oneside 0 the float and for this purpose the base 39 may be provided with aproper roller or ball bearing 43, and held thereon by a suitable clip asat 44 so that all of the parts carried thereby are freely rotatable. Forthis purpose the parallel rack bars 38 may be connected together at oneend by a cross piece 45 having therein an open sided socket 46 adaptedto receive the head 47 carried by the piston 41, this socket being openat its opposite ends permits the racks to be swung out of engagementwith the piston head when it is desired to rotate all of the dredgemembers. The driving gears for the several parts are adapted to be heldout of mesh with the rack and frictionally looked under normalconditions, but to be released and thrown into engagement therewithduring the period desired for operation. This maybe accomplished byvarious structures, but in the present instance by the eccentricalldisposed bearing sleeve 48 encircling the s aft 34, as shown in Figs. 4and 5 and having rotative bearings at-50. The opposite bearing sleeves48 may be connected together by the lever arms 49 and connecting rod 51.At one or both sides of the eccentric wheel 33 a drum 52 issecured andso disposed that when the gears 35 are thrown out of mesh with the racks38 these drums are brought intocont'act with the segmental brake shoes53. By this construcby the friction of the drums and shoes, as soon asthe driving gears are released or separated from the separated racks andthe operation of the parts correspondingly stops.

The winding drum 24, Fig. 3, is secured upon the shaft 54, as usual, andprovided at one or both sides with brake drums 55 adapted tofrictionally contact with the shoes 56 carried by the frame 13. Theraist 34, that is, the shaft 54 is provided with an eccentric bearingsleeve 57 mounted in the bearing 58, those at opposite sides beingconnected by arm 59 and a cross bar 60 so as to operate in unison tolift the gears from contact with the rack and hold the drum by thefriction brake, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to prevent movement of theshaft 54 in both directions in the travel of the rgck the gears 61 areloosely mounted thereon and provided with pawls 62 cooperating with theratchet 63 secured to the] shaft 54. By this means the motion of therack in one direction is imparted to the drums, and the gears turn idlyin the returning movement. The drum may also be held at its adjustedposition and released when desired by means of teeth 64 carried by theinner face of one of the brake drums 55 and adapted to cooperate with apawl 65 mounted on the frame to not) )erate therewith. It is obviousthat any other desired or preferred construction may be used for thispurpose. This drum may also be used if desired for the purpose oflifting the anchoring spud 15 such being accomplished by means of thecable 66 extending to a suitable gripping deceive 67 on the spud.

The scoop when dumping may deposit its material to both or either sideof its arm and into any desired receptacle at that point, for instance,the troughs 68 which communicate with a sieve or screen69 provided withthe conveyer 70 as indicated in Fig. 1, the material passing throughsaid screen being caught by trough 71 and conveyed to an preferredpoint.

n the operation of the invention the dredge arm is lowered and the scoopbrought into the position shown by.dot-ted lines at the bottom of Fig.1, and then oscillated or partially rotated into the dotted lineposition showmat the opposite end of said figure so that the scooped ordredged contents are carried in the body of the scoop till they reachthe position above the float or scow when a rotative movement of thescoop brings it into the discharging position shown by full lines insaid iigure, and the materia therein passes by gravity to each sideofthe arm and is deposited into suitable receptacles. This oscillationof the scoop as well as the raising and lowering of the arm iscontrolled from the platform and in an accurate manner by means of therack and engaging gears which are adapted tc be brought in contact withthe rack only during the driving period and at other times held inbraked condition to prevent accidental movement' thereof, this beingaccomplished h the eccentric sleeve which shifts the sha t paralleltubes properly sealed the most de sirable form of support is securedwhich can be economically manufactured and requires the minimum depth ofwater to float the an e ed bod of the dredging apparatus, wh il ifieprovision of the central channel through the float permits the dredgingto be 000m lished directly beneath and in line with t e movement of thestructure. The construction of the scoop and its mounting wdischarge atan angle to the cutting edge thereof permits the direct application ofthe seoo at the eccentric wheel or lever by whic the oscillatory motionis transmitted thereto.- lVhile thls scoop has been described asoscillatory in its movement it will be obviousthat a complete rotationmay be given it, but the most advantageous results are secured by anoscillatory motion. It will therefore be seen that this inventionpresents a power dredge of simple construction adapted to beeconomically manufactured and adapted 'for very efficient workparticularly in shallow water or small streams when the capacity is notsullicient to justify the use or expense of a large suction dredge. c

Having described m invention and set forth its merits, what claim anddesire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinallyextending channcl opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in saidopening intermediate of the ends of the hull, and an oscillating scoopupon the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end of saidhull.

2. In a dredge, the'combination with a bull having a longitudinallyextending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in saidopening intermediate of the ends of the hull, an oscillating scoop uponthe free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end of said hull,and. means for swinging said scoop for a portion of its travel whileloweredand for continuing said travel for discharge when raised.

3. Ina"'(lredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinallyextending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in s idopening intermediate of the ends of the U11 an oscillating scoop upon.the free end of said arm adapted to discharge upon one end ,of saidhull, means for swinging said oscillation upon the free en driving cablefor oscillating said scoop, a

scoop for a portion of its travel while lowered and for continuingsaidtravel for discharge when raised, and means carried by said arm todeliver laterally from said;

rack bar and means for reciprocating the: same, driving gears for saidcable and arm 4. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having alongitudinally extending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotallymouuted in said opening intermediate of the ends 1 of said hull, anoscillating scoop upon the free end of said arm adapted to dischargeupon one end of said hull, mcan.-+ for swinging said scoo for a portionof its travel while lowere and for continuing said travel for dischargeWlllle raised, means carried by said arm to deliver laterally from saidscoop, and a holding spud disposed intermediate of the ends of saidhull.

5. In a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted at one endthereon, an imper forate scoop pivoted to the free end of said arm,means for moving said scoop for less than a complete rotation, and meansfor raising saidarm.

6. in a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted at one endthereon, an imperforate scoop pivoted to the free end of said arm,means' for moving said scoop for less than a complete rotation, meansfor raising said arm, and discharge GlltltESCfllI'lBd by said scoop todeliver laterally at opposite sides thereof.-

7. In a dredge, a scoo arm, an eccentrically disposed wheel at t e freeend of said arm, a cable for driving said wheel, and a scoop secured tothe pivot of said wheel and having laterally deflected discharge chutesat opposite sides of the wheel.

b. In a dredge, a scoop arm, an eccentrically disposed wheel at the freeend of said arm, a cable for driving said wheel, a scoop secured to thepivot of said wheel and having laterally deflected discharge chutes atopposite sides of the wheel, and a division plate carried by said scoopto inclose a. portionof said wheel.

9. In av dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a scoopmounted for oscillation upon the free end of said arm, a

.driving cable for oscillating said scoop, a

rack bar and means for reciprocating-the same, and driving gears forsaid cable and arm adapted to be intermittently engaged with said rack.

- 10. In a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a secmounted for rack bar and means for reciprocating the same, driving gearsfor said cable and an i adapted to be intermittently engaged with saidrock, and a cooperating brake to retain said gear against rotation whendisengaged from said rack.

11. in a dredge, a hull, a scoop arm pivotally mounted thereon, a scoopmounted, for oscillation upon the free end f said arm, a driving cablefor oscillating said scoop, a

imparting rotativc movement to said scoop.

of said arm, a

13. In adredge, asegmcntal scoop having to engage said drum when thegears are oppositely disposed lateral discharge chutes, and means forunpartmg rot ative movement to said scoop.

14. In a dredge, a segmental scoop having oppositely disposed lateraldischarge chutes, and an eccentric wheel intermediate of said chutes andat the rear of the segmental por- 1 tion of the scoop.

15. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a longitudinallyextending channel opening, of a scoop arm pivotally mounted in saidopening intermediate of the ends of the hull, and a holding spud mountedin said opening intermediate of said ends.

16. In a dredge, a rotatable platform, a mast mounted thereon, a scooparm mounted on said mast, means carried by said platform for raising andlowering said arm, a scoop carried by said arm, and means upon saidplatform for imparting a rotative movement to said scoop.

17. In a dredge, the combination with a hull having a rotatable platformthereon, of a mast mounted on said platform, a scoop arm mounted on saidmast, means carried by said platform for raising and lowering said arm,a scoop carried by said arm, means upon said platform for imparting arotative movement to said scoop, a driving member for said scoop, an armmounted upon said platform, and an actuating device for said drivingmeans relatively fixed to the rotative travel of said platform.

18. In a dredge. a rotatable platform, a mast mounted thereon, a scooparm mounted on said mast, means carried by said platform for raising andlowering said arm, a scoop carried by said arm, means upon said platformfor imparting a rotative movement to said scoop, a driving member forsaid scoop, an arm mounted upon said platform, an actuating cylinder andpiston, and an automatically detachable connection between said pistonand driving means.

19. In a dredge. a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivotedthereto, a Windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with adriving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm, for rotative movement, anactuating gear for said scoop, a. reciprocating rack bar adapted to meshwith both of said gears, and means for shifting said gears relative tosaid rack bar.

' 20. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivotedthereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with adriving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, anactuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocating rack bar adapted to meshwith both of said gears, means for shifting said gears relative to saidrack bar, a brake drum carried by the shaft of said gears, and a brakeshoe adapted shifted out of mesh with said rack bar.

21. In a dredge, a hull, a must mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivotedthereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with adriving gear, a scoop mounted upon said-arm for rotative movement, anactuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to meshwith both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to saidrack bar, a brake drum carried by the shaft of said gears, a brake shoeadapted to engage said drum when the gears are shifted out of mesh withthe rack bar, and means for preventing a reverse movement of saidWindlass in the reciprocation of said rack.

22. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivotedthereto, a windlass for raising and lowering said arm provided with adriving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, anactuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to meshwith both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to saidrack bar, a cross head upon said rack bar having an open socket therein,and a cyl inder and piston rod provided with a head to removably engagesaidcross head.

In a dredge, a. hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm ivo tedthereto, a windlass for raising and owering saidarm provided with adriving gear, a scoop mounted upon said arm for rotative movement, anactuating gear for said scoop, a reciprocatin rack bar adapted to meshwith both of sai gears, means for shifting said gears relative to saidrack bar, a cross head upon said rack bar having an open socket therein,a c linder and piston rod provided with a hea to removabl; engage saidcross head, and means for permitting a rotative movement of all of saidparts relative to a fixed travel of said piston rod.

24. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted tosaid mast, a winding drum having a cable connected to said arm, ratchetteeth provided upon the shaft of said drum, a gear wheel loosely mountedupon the shaft of said drum, reciprocating means for actuating saidWheel, and a pawl carried by said wheel to engagesaid ratchet.

25. In a dredge, a hull, a mast mounted thereon, a scoop arm pivoted tosaid mast, a. winding drum having a cable connected to said arm, a gearwheel loosely mounted upon the shaft of said drum, reciprocating meansfor actuating said wheel, a series of ratchet teeth upon said drum, anda pawl mounted upon a fixed part and adapted to engage said teeth.

26. In a dredge, a hullcomprising tubular sections connected together,a. platform thereon, a scoop arm carried by said platform, a

scoop mounted ii'pon said am for r'otative a. cable exten 'from saidwheel,an d means movement, and means upon said platform carried bysaidull for actuating sa.1 d cable. 10 for oontroiling the travel of saidscoop and In testimony whereof I affix my signature firm. 'in presenceof two witnesses.

5 -27. In a, dredge, a hull, a scoop arm piv- HORACE J. CLARK.

otally mounted thereon, an eccentrieally dis- Witnesses: posed wheel atthe free end of said arm, a ALFRED T. GAGE,

scoop extending from the pivot of said wheel. JOHN L. FLETCHER.

